World Youth International

Ralph is a founding member of WYI and has previously worked as finance manager and major projects coordinator for over 20 years with the organisation. In 2004, Ralph became the first Australian to be awarded the Order of Nepal, the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, for humanitarian services performed in Nepal. In 2006 he was awarded the Order of Australia AM by the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency Michael Jeffery, for humanitarian services overseas.

Georgie is a senior HR professional with extensive experience in the international development sector. Georgie was the former HR Director of CARE (International) Australia supporting 9 Country Offices across South East Asia and the Middle East; and former Head of HR for Coffey's 19 international development programs and 650+ staff in the Asia Pacific region.

Most recently, Georgie has been working for Abt Associates as the HR Specialist to start up major programs in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. Her international experience includes countries as diverse as Belize, Cambodia, Cyprus, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Serbia, United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Georgie worked together with Ralph Hoey many years ago to create the very first Overseas Action program in Nepal and assisted the team with fundraising to build the World Youth International School, which now provides the gift of a quality education to 500+ students.

Karen joined World Youth International UK in 2018. For the past 19 years she has been working as a physiotherapist in the NHS; specialising in musculoskeletal care with further sub-specialisms in breast cancer recovery, pain management and rheumatology. She is also co-author of The Physiotherapist’s Pocket Book, a physiotherapy textbook that has been translated into ten languages and is now in its third edition. She has recently completed a Masters Degree in Clinical Research, focusing on the role of physiotherapy in breast cancer recovery.

Karen strongly believes in the importance of empowering disadvantaged communities. She has worked as a volunteer physiotherapist at Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal and as a volunteer fundraiser for her community school.

Terry is one of the founding members of our organisation, and has been heavily involved in all operations since 1996. As General Manager of World Youth International, he oversees all aspects of the business. Terry has worked in every part of the organisation and has travelled extensively across the globe. He has helped to prepare thousands of volunteers for their overseas adventures. Terry is passionate about contributing to sustainable development and has always ensured that World Youth International is constantly changing to remain competitive in the volunteer market. He provides a high level of guidance, knowledge, support and leadership to his team members, the Board, and our volunteers. This is not just a job for Terry, it is his passion and he is proud to represent an organisation that has provided a positive impact to vulnerable communities within Kenya, Nepal and beyond.

Radha is the Chairperson at the World Youth International School in Gokarna, Nepal. The benefits of her leadership, guidance and support can be seen throughout the school and wider community. Radha has been a flag-bearer for women’s empowerment in Nepal. She is a role model for female students and is seen by the women in the community as a true example of what a woman can achieve. Radha encourages, supports and guides girls to break stereotypes and to push themselves to achieve their goals.

Joanna Giles from HOG Heaven Charity Foundation has been supporting the people of Nepal since 1998 and is the proud Patron of The Sapana Dreaming Children's Home in Gokarna.

Joanna joined the WYI team in 1998 to help raise funds for the WYI School in Gokarna, Nepal. This action led onto her involvement in the construction and opening of the Sapana Dreaming Children’s Home next to the school in 2001.

Since then, Joanna has been involved in many projects in Nepal including cleft lip and palate surgeries, supporting a child care nursery and pre-school facility, supporting a home for sexually abused girls, and coordinating the installation of solar panels and water catchment dams in remote schools and villages.

Celia is an international development project manager and has worked on major projects across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Kenya and Cambodia. She has been working with WYI since the planning and launch of the Odede Community Health Centre in 2013, and continues to manage this and WYI's other projects in Kenya.

Celia co-founded SHE Investments in 2014, launching the first and only organisation to deliver business incubator and accelerator programs specifically designed for women in Cambodia. SHE has worked with hundreds of women over the past few years, supporting them to grow their businesses, create new jobs, increase incomes for families, and improve women's economic empowerment through entrepreneurship. In 2017, she was named as an Emerging Leader in the Australia-ASEAN region by the Prime Minister and Cabinet of Australia.

Celia has been living in Cambodia since late 2014, where she continues to build SHE and also manages WYI's project partnerships in Kenya. Celia has been managing these partnerships and projects since 2012, when she spent 6-months in Odede working with the local team to plan and launch the Odede Health Centre.

Sanjaya is a key member of the World Youth International team. Joining us in 2008, he has spent over a decade managing our Nepal volunteer programs on the ground. Sanjaya spends 8 months a year in Nepal, and 4 months in Australia, balancing his time between both countries to ensure he can offer high quality support for our amazing team and courageous volunteers.

Fred has been a valued asset to the World Youth International team since 1994. He has a teaching degree and a Diploma in Community Health, and decades of experience managing sustainable development projects within Kenyan communities. Fred is the Chairperson of World Youth International Kenya, and manages our programs on the ground. His time and efforts in the establishment and ongoing management of Mama Ann’s Odede Health Centre is instrumental in the daily operations of World Youth International.

Tim joined the team at World Youth International in 2011 and has been the IT guru ever since. Tim developed the World Youth International website and manages all of our online systems as well as some design work. Tim is a fantastic support to the WYI staff, helping to inform people about the great work we do overseas and how volunteers can get involved.

Bhumika was 12 years old, studying year 8, when her father gained employment at the World Youth International School. He moved the family to live in Gokarna to be closer to the School, where Bhumika also completed her education. After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies at a University in Nepal, Bhumika taught English, Social Studies and Dance at World Youth International School. In 2018, Bhumika had the opportunity to move to Adelaide to study IT and Business Analytics as well as work at World Youth International’s head office. Bhumika’s supports the team with administration and child scholarship.

Gabriella supports the World Youth International team with Marketing & Communications including strategic planning, media relations, digital marketing/social media, advertising and partnerships. She holds a Bachelor of Media from the University of Adelaide and has over ten years experience in marketing, media, communications and administration related roles. Gabriella is passionate about ‘giving back’, and is proud to have developed and expanded the efforts of various non-profit organisations, leading fundraising campaigns that have resulted in major grant and volunteer support of inspirational children’s charities.